We cannot say what drew us to our friend. We met her for a few days at a
country house, or were introduced to her casually at a dinner-party.
Nothing in ordinary circumstances would have been more likely than to
part and meet no more. But we did not part; something had united us--we
felt we must see more of each other.
This attracting something lends a strange charm to friendship, and,
whether the two are alike or unlike, it matters little--they are sure to
be helpers and sympathisers, because, it seems to me, and I say it with
all reverence, this something which we cannot define is a God-given bond
of union. The two are meant to be friends--meant to act beneficially
upon each other; and, perhaps, because they cannot understand it or
reason over it, the tie proves stronger than they or anyone can break.
They may be thrown together in any of the ways I have suggested, but
with a difference; then neighbourhood, association, was the primary
element in the formation of the friendship; now it is secondary to the
elective attraction. Both feel that their souls would have come together
in whatever circumstances they had met.
I cannot think these elective friendships ever really cease, though a
quarrel, a misunderstanding may break them seemingly for ever.
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